Box handle and fastening means



Sept. 30, 1952 R. C. POTTS BOX HANDLE AND FASTENING MEANS Filed Jan. 23, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 44Fly4 6 Fig.5 ig.

Roy 6. Po as, INVHVTOR.

Sept. 30, 1952 R. c. POTTS BOX HANDLE AND FASTENING "MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1948 INVENTOR.

Sept. 30, 1952 R. c. POTTS 2,612,303

BOX HANDLE AND FASTENING MEANS Filed Jan. 25, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 /9 Roy L. POZZS, Fig. 16 Rig 1Q JNVENTORf Sept. 30, 1952 R. c. POTTS 2,612,308

BOX HANDLE AND FASTENING MEANS Filed Jan. 23, 1948 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 II'IIIIIIII 'Illlllll I Roy 6. P0 l'l's, IN V EN TOR.

Sept. 30, 1952 R. c. POTTS BOX HANDLE AND FASTENING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 23, 1948 INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 30, 1952 OFFICE BOX HANDLE AND FASTENING IVIEANS I Roy 0. Potts, Takoma Park, D. C.

, Application January 23, 1948, SerialNo. 3,855 (01. 229-52) 11 Claims.

' This invention relates to containers, particularly tofibreboard containers of the type adapted for shipment of such commodities as'eggs, fruits and vegetables, and has for its principal object the'provision of means for securing the parts of such containers together in the desired relationship, but which means are readily removable to permit folding of the container toa fiat condition for em'pty shipment. f

My present application consists of certain species of the invention originally disclosed in my cope'n'ding application Serial No. 717,570, filed December 20, 1946, together with certain addi tional forms and modifications ofthe invention therein disclosed; the present application is therefore denoted as a continuation-in-part of the aforesaid application. I

An object of 'my invention additional to that above noted is to provide container wall fastening means which may be utilized Without the use of anytools whatever, either in applying or removing' the fasteners, and which are moreover adapted to perform certain other functions such as the provision of convenient handles on the outer walls of the containers, without any of the usual complications required in multiple use devices of this general kind. v v A still further object of the invention is to devise fully preformed fastening means of the type described which are very simply formed of lowcost material, and which may therefore be supplied at an absolute minimum of cost. An ancilla'ry object of the invention is to provide fasteners whose use does not complicate the container structure as such; more particularly, the fasteners of my invention require only "simple slots in certain of the panel members of thecontainers, which slots can readily be incorporated during the manufacture of the box, without expensive die-cutting operations; for example, the slots re-' quired may'readily be formed during the operation of the conventional rotary fibreboard cutting, printing and slotting machines.

Still another object of my present invention is to devise typ'es of combined securing elements and handles which have portions adapted to clamp between them the plies or walls of a boxwall structure, but in which no part of the fastener elements is required to extend below the horizontal axis of the slot in the wall panels, or below what "I refer to as-the line of perforation of such panels. Moreover, these novel arrangements result in fasteners whose extremities terminate substantiallyiner within the area of the slot orperforation. Such forms Oi fastener are quite simpleto fabricate, and if of proper shape, provide a very secure fastening or handle means which is easily placed in position, but which cannot he accidentally dislodged.

A further object of the present invention is to provide, for use in connection with fasteners whose extremities are terminated in orwitliin the area of the panel slot or perforationy an anchor or bearing plate which assist in maintaining the fastener in its preferred position, andpositively prevents removal thereof except by the specific intent of the user. Such anchor or bearing plates therefore operate to key the fastener in position with respect to the box :or container panels.

My invention will best be understood by referring to the following detailed specification of certain preferred embodiments thereof, taken in connection with the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an isometricview of a portion of a two-ply box end panel to which has been secured one form of the invention,

' Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof,

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a modified of the'fastener shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a side elevation thereof, Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but of a'slight furthermodifi'cation thereof, 1

Fig. 7 ma front elevation of another form of fastener of form the invention,

Fig.8 is a side elevation thereof, Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but of a fied form of the same'structure,

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the application of still another form toa carton end wall,

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 of a further modification, showing application of a reenforcing strip, with a carton cover flap folded against the carton wall, 1 I

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. '10 but of still another form of the invention,

Fig.12-A is a view similar to Fig. 12. but show ing the fastener terminated in open loops oreyes lying within the slot of the container wall,

Fig. 13 is an isometric view of the application to a box panel of a fastener whose straight ends terminate in the area of perforation of thepanel, Fig. 14 is a front elevation thereof,

Fig. 15 is a side elevation thereof, I T i Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 13 illustrating ase'cond form of this generic construction; to-@ gether with an auxiliary bearing or anchorfplate therefor,

. modification of the invention, using a different form of bearing plate, n

Fig. 2liis"a"seetionalavifew on line 2 l -2l of 20,

Fig. 22' is an isometric view of still another form n any way lessening the value of the member as a v of the. invention, provided with an articulated bail type of handle portion, g

Fig. 23 is a sectional view taken on line 23-23 of Fig. 22, Fig. 2; is an isometric view of the fastener or Fig. 10 applied to a carton sidewall of which an integral hinged part serves as a carton' lidmem-' her, and

n'IiigH25ris a sectional-viewlon line 25,- -25'0f Fig. 2.4

:rFig-r26 is:an'isometric viewpf ah'andle on a eontaineflhaving-va Slottedlid arranged 'to give access-to the 'handle'when the lid is folded down,

.;Fli'

g. 27 is1t'afront-elevation of a fastener'element adaptedfor use 'in positively securing the handles; fori example: of Fig. '26, against -accidental removal.

f Refer'ring now to Fig;

slot therein, designated broadly a'sr-M. *Iniorder to se'curerth'e' two 1 panels against movement either away fi rom 'one. ancStherorin a sliding fashion; a

fastener l'BdSFIjl'OVi'd'ed} and preferably formed of a singlet=piece'ofsuch'material asstiff'wire. -As ShOWIIIfiii'IFigS. '2' and'r3,- 'fastener 18 comprises mammals deg 18? and "two *depending legs 20 and 22, these parts being'tsubstantially coplanar and'defining'a u-shap'edx'or stirrup-"shaped portion adapted to enga e the outer surface of panel In when inserted through slot' Mn Each'of legs 20- .-and222 turns in a' direction perpendicular to the plane of the stirrup portion *to provide work ea'clieturns 'outwardly to-iorm' a loop -(28 and"3ll respectively), the loop-s -being coplanar and approximately parallel to the plane of; the stirrup portion. As shown best in Fig. 3, the'rnormal-or rest plane of the lo0psrr28 and- 30 is slightly inclined .to the 'plane fof 'thestirru-p;.1to provide a tension grip upon thei-panels lll 'and' I2 when the clip or fastener i's-inserted. l H

If it isadesired 'to cover'the loops 28 and 130 on therinside'iwof jthe 'container; as well eas' to seal therexposedportionsiofa-slot 14, a strip of adhesivelywqatedfipapen32=--(Fig. 1) snay be pasted over the projected area of the parts'to be covered. If desired; to" permit ready re-use-o fthe 1 container and facilitate -insertion and-removal of the fastener; such strip--may be adhesively "secured onlyyinrthe area designated -34, beingnormallyglheldwineeovering position "by gravity or handle for the -container, a duplicate fastener at I the other end of the container providing,- a :con-,

venient means for handling the filled case. In

other words, mere insertion of the fasteners as a matter of container assembly may simultaneously provide outside handle members. The sprin y nature of the wire of which the fasteners are preferably fabricated enables the leg portion [8 to be grasped and pulled somewhat away from the outer surface of the container for a firm finger grip, but, as described hereinafter, it is also feasible to provide a permanene outwardly-deflected location of leg l8"where the handle fea-' ture is particularly to be emphasized, without in approximately parallel to one another, although before use, as mentioned, such planes may be slightly inclined to one another in the interest of a: firm;g;rip, I -Gonnecting these portions are 3 work vor- 1: slot-penetrating members 2 4 a and Z 6 rrWhlCh arewshort-=members7-adapted to l-pass through the elements :to ,be' secured together. Thus; the contact -between thergripping portions-.(e.. g., -th8-lpO1'- tionr'made1up:-oflegs I8;20- an-d 22: and. the portion :made up of loops 2 8 landed) and-thegsurfaces to be secured is distributedovere'a relatively-ex: tensive area of such surfaces whicheliminates all dangerflof-tearing or distorting the material: of the panels; and increases the efiectivenessrof -the fastening action; Further, the fastener-is :formed of a single-piece of material, such as wirepwhose terminal are'as areqturnedt closely against adjacent non termin'al: portions to. provide. a-structure which -is 1 freefrom sharp? edges ort-corners which might cause injurwto-the user the-cone tain'er or to "the contents oi thep-ease. j

V a Themprinciples "ofthe invention? as outlined above: may; -;of' Ecourseg-i be satisfied i by designs which are specificallyrl-ifferent. I, Gertain oithese modificationssare described bBlOWybl-itlt-i to--be understood that the description of' specific-forms herein is IIOtvtO :be construed to excludeother 1 equivalent:- forms-which come within the scope of 'such .prinoiples;zass-defined -in "the" claims ap .pended hereto. l 3

.Figs. ,;4 and-d-illustrate a-modified'iormof the invention-which -is Tadapted: forsuse inthe same manner as the form ofi fastener just described; However, I in embodiment,- the" vertical leg members; 36- -and@;38;-whichare-joined by a.-hori-; zontal leg Ad -terminate inslot-penetrating-por tions-such J as 42 (Fig. -5) whichthen 'diverge outwardly at 44 wand: it sufiiciently rsoithat; when upward and; inward: loops -48 and 50- are formed;---the se=*loops -lie-entirely' outside the projeeted area-of portions- 36, 3 81 and M :As shown in Fig.-6, eachu'of the vertical legportions 3B and -38 may be given, a slight outward bend as at 5 2 ,-.whereby= the horizontal deg-40 "will be: spaced from the outer wall of' the container to aid .in' providing a convenient-gripxfor the fingers when the device is used as -ar-handle. v In 'theforms -shown :in'Figs. Tito '9, the handle-' forming stirrup-comprises? a central leg '54, de-.

pending legs 5 6 and 5 8--which -turn-rearwardly to pass through the carton slots 'asiat 60; of --Fig: 8, thence upward-1y approximately 'parallell' to the portions-5 6 r and 58-; and then reversely downward as. air-62; and 64 :of' Figfl. The endsof the' pieces are the n turnedwtoward one another:- as at 'fiB',- 68; terminating closely:r adj acent one another: best-,shown inrFigig'l. -11; willwbeiseenrthat inatliis fOlH-ldOii-thfi inventionthere?arewirreifectitwdrstifi portions-lie in Iplanes-slightlyrinclined: torone' another foricontact wit the? zicarton wallliforming panels. As lfindica'te'd-i IiZiEi v9',uttheaportionsi'fifi and 'ifi may be bent.b'etvsieeri'etheintiendsl toi form the outstandingihandlez'gripizmentioned above. .;:-Eig.: :fis.=a perspective illustration! ofra xsomewhat'modified' form: of combined'handlepaan'd 'fas tenerr 10, shown as .used in icombination'c-l'withza miilti-plyi wall: composed: of; panels v .72:..andi-"Hli Bdlih'bfi theiplies 0f the-wall structure areislotted ortaperforatedr as at"' 1:6, zandrthr'ough this 'slot'lis passedlthe Jstirrupeshaped thandlei portion ofith'e handle;: comprising. horizontalilportion 18 and dependingtlegi portions. 8 ll andr82. ..2;Legi 82 iissbem rearwardly 'asr'att 84 .t totpass through slot 16,. thenoezsupwardly asLatxlBBt arid thencerirevers'ely downward =:as at 88: and athenwiagain upwardli as atY-SIJ. 1;.Theipartssflfinlia..iand'fld lie in: a: common plane, and the length .offlportionlM is 1 so iicho's'en that parts 86" to ed-closely: engage dsh'e opposite surface of ithecwall' member. 'The :portion 90 terminates'in a'zforwardlyidisposed loop 92 .adapted' 'tdpassdnto'. or through the fslot '16. Hence, the fastener:or="har1'd1e leg engages: the material defining the-top edge1 of; slot flfisat; a'iplurality of spacedpoints, increasing. .the" resistance to tearing:'outxofisuclrmaterialz II'The:inherentresilience ofrthe' springy-wire from which vthe handle is constructe'dsenable's.thezdevicexto be' readily inserted into. the slot, wet: providesia 'firm grip lupo'n 'the oppositegsurfaces of the wall:v Furthermore-the dual iTen'gagement at" each side restricts" removal of the, fastener by. either: upward; pull iOI'fidDWIl- Ward iepressurewthereon. Intentional ."Yi'emoval; however, is achieved bypressing ou'twardlyonthe panel material at the lower edge of slot 'ISLto disengage tloops: 92? fromJ-the 1- edges 10f? 'the'-. slot, whereuponzthe fastener may be islidfiout of. en gagement just as. are the simpler: forms earlier described-herein. 2 J a I f HrInasmucha. as the parts associated-with leg-e80 arerbent into aimirror 'image of. 'theilparts :SZSSO-r ciated with leg 82, it is deemed unnecessaryto describe thesesimilar 'partsin detail. 1 Y n Fig. 11- shows a modification of the fastener 10, generally: designated in. that figure by -;nume1'al 94. The E'depending legs 96 and-98 are.. offthe sarneshape; asrdescribed in. connectiodwlth Fig. 10; except that the ultimate end of ea'ch leg is turned" toward ;theend of the other; as indicated at lflfl andszlllz; theterminals 10413116. I06 lying just beneath the material defining. the upper edgemf slot lfi, and in the planeot'one or the other of the-wall elements. The illustrationof this iform; shows the handle appliedato 'a-sing1eply wall member having'a usual form of closure flap hingedly' connected thereto-at its upper edge. Thus, any usual form of fibreboard-container may bewconvertedinto a'handled container merely by providing appropriate slots in 'theend wall panels and top closure flaps. Asso us'ed, of'course, the flaps maybe turned ei'ther' inwardly oroutwardly'with respect tO" the container to" enable insertionofthe handlemember' through the regis-.

tering slots, but the handle portion" 'will'always, of course; lie outside of the container wall.

In "order to provide increased strength and resistance 'todearing;.of :panel' 110, particularly where'the containenmaterial is corrugated board,

rather than :fibreboa'rd; a :ireenforcing .istrip' I! 2.

of 'cardb'oard; chipboard, fibreboard'ior the: like may be inserted as indicated, withl ione'edge'in the fold: connecting :p'anel' I I0 and. closure :flap

[0a, ithe. rlowen .:e dge:i:.pas'singr.alongfthe top. edge passing athroughi ithe slot,- the -materi'al or" 6. ofi-rislotslfi. Such-.1.airstrip-greatly :increas'esatho durability 'of. the icontainer.r-wal1,3 byiinereasing the; area :over whichiathe. stress; appliedwbyi handle 941s": distributedyand hence. increaSesFthereSiStance ztof-tearingzof thea-zmaterial :along Zthe :top

l'r'Aefnrther. :modification' isrshown in 'Fig; 12, the depending legs H4 and I I6; of-theifastenerrpass ingi'rearwardly' through: themslot F -1 6. as ,at 1 rl 1L8; thenceupwardlyas at I20, diagonally downward as? at 422 .to: a?"'point.rbe1ow..:the level of slot-J16; thence :ag'ain upwardly as at l'24, ,and-iterminat-. ing in ashort forwardly bentaportion "I'ZBiadapted to pass into or through slot 16. The latterrrp'ortion' 'providesLthe: spaced-points, of contact ith theiltop edge. of. the slot as described above. :'It will be understood: that the opposite leg isiformed ima ssimilar 1(re'ver sely. symmetrical) fashion; indicated at. I 2.8 atherconnectingz portionbetween legs 1:14: and I 16, which forms thefingerr rip of :.the handle, may-be spaced away frcmitheawall panel, :asuby bendingithe'legs H4" and l-l:.6= 'in-.- termediate' their ends; to facilitate-positive en gagement of the fingers with such handlespor tion. 3 This construction may also be appliedfto the-:combined' handle; and fasteners" of Fig's. --:r10 and 11,.a1'1d'is' ofparticular value where 'therhan dle portion-does not. extend above the top iedge of :the' container; In the: latter circumstances; as:.-indicated'in"l ig. 11, such acspaced-qawayvhan-y die-portion wouldbeunnecessary;

.Fig', .12-A of thedrawingsillustrates ajir ur itnei over, the form of Fig. 12-A. differs rfrom th'atiof Fig. .12sin that the portions l Hand-.1241 ofi'the latter are omitted; so thatmoi portion: ofu-thwhan-J dle 'member ofrFig. 'IZeA-extends *b'elow thex axis of the slot. Since this reduces .-'the 'inumberoof bends in the handle membenritszmanufactu-reion standard wire-bending. machines is considerably simplified. .v i I -Referring snow to Figs; '13, 170123 of the): draw ings, I'have shownt aseries' oflzhandle elements combining features of securing together two or more. plies of carton .or container material; and all-characterized byzthe, fact that .no partof l'su'ch element lies *below :a horizontal line massing through the slot 1 or: :a'xisuof perforation; of: the plies :of"containersmaterial.

' The 'form of the invention :shown' iii-Figs. to '15'is :shown. as applied to a inulti ply-walkpanel comprisingsuperimposed panels-.1 30:. and ll 32 provided with matings: slots designated .:by.:;numer.al

I34. .A.reenforcingc:strip-of .thei type shown; as H2 in Fig. llsmayserve 'in lieuoof .panelsl32; Thehandle or :connecting legiportioncof the bias teners is designated 136, and 'the do'wnw'ar d de-' pendingl'legsiareil38 and 140. -As' here shown; these'legs 38. and I40. are' bent' intermediate: their ends :tospace thebail or' connecting leg 13 Sfrom the panel surface, and at their -'-lo'wer= ends turn rearwardlyto pass through theslot 4'34, this' inward bend beingdesignated l l2 in Figw15 e' LWIIB oifile'gl I40 isbent upwardlyas-at -I'44 for a short distancef and thence outwardly-to' form a ii'ahel engaging'loop I46 lying outside'the profile ofrthe portionsi-l36," I38 and I40. The wire then returns inwardly, as indicated at I48, sothat it may be bent'forwardly into theslot I34 and from this pointlies substantially in or within the cbve'r flap I54, similar to flap 32 if Fig. l'may be.

provided interiorly of the container, if desired,

as described in connection with a previous embodiment. :Figs. 16to 21 illustrate two further modifications of a. portion of the structure just described, and since the alterations-in so far-as the fasteners themselves are concerned have to do only with the disposition of the terminals of the fasteners, these figureshave been shown with the reference numerals used in connection with corresponding portions of Figs. 13 to 15, except where there are departures from such previously described form. I In Figs. 16' and 1'7, bail portion I36, leg por-' tions I28 and I40 and loops I46 may be formed just as already described, but the termini of the twolegs which extend toward one another, as at I56 and I58, pass slightly forward of the sur v face of panel I30 and each is then sharply bent as at I60, I62 to reenter the slot I34. In order to anchor these termini firmly in place, and to provide an increased bearing area between them and the edges of slot I34, I provide a strip of metal184 or the like, in the form of a plate which has been deformed to provide a-longitudinally extending shallow recess I66 which therefore dips back into the slot I34 when the strip I64 is placed with its rear face abutting the material of panel I30. This strip I64 is also provided with appair of spaced apertures I68 and I10 located to receive the rearwardiy turned hooks on the termini I60'and' I62.

The construction of the strip or plate I64 is bestshown in detail in Figs. 18 and 19, wherein thelocation of the apertures I68 and I10 is clearly shown as within the area of the formed longitudi nal groove or recess I66.

Figs. 20 and 21 illustrate a' modification which the terminals of the fastener extend'di rectly toward one another exactly in conformity with the disclosure of Fig. 13, but, as indicated at I12 and I14, are located slightly forward of the face of panel "I30. In this position, these terminals lie withina groove or formed depression I16 in a strip I18 similar-to strip or plate I64 of Figs. 16'to 19. In this case, of course, the strip or plate may be unapertured, since the terminals of the fastener do not pass through it as previouslydescribed. However, I contempalte that asingle form of such plate may be used with either of the arrangements, that is, Figs. 16 or 20, and since the presence of apertures in the plate would not be objectionable even where the fastener ends are not to pass through the plate, such-single plate may be formed with the apertures, thus enabling a single form of plate to'be used in either connection, and thereby reducing the number of dififerent manufactured parts required to implement the various arrangements. ln Figs. 22 and 23 I have illustrated a slightly different form .of combined handle and fastener in-whichprovision is made for facilitating a firm grasp of the-bail portion of the handle by actual encirclementwith the fingers of a hand, rather than by the finger-tip engagement permitted-by the forms earlier described. In this form of the invention, the connecting'p'ortion'or bail member I .has relatively short depending legs I82 and I84, each ofwhich terminates in a formed loop or eye I86 engaging the loop or eye. I88 formed at the endsof a second and distinct piece of wire which thereafter passes through the slot I 80in the panels I30 and I32 and is formed with inner-panel engaging loops I92 and I94.1-'.'Ihe ends of these loops return into or through'the slot I80 as at I96 and I98 in a manner corresponding to theterminals' I12 and I14 of Fig. 20, but as plainly shown .inFig. 22 these ends are actually portions of *a single continuous length of wire 200 of which the bottom half of thisfase tener is formed. A plate I18 is again used-to anchor this fastener in place against removal back through slot I80.. In orderto facilitate the insertion of this fastener, slot I90 in this instance is enlarged at its ends, as indicated at 202, to pass the loops oreyes I86 andI88. f

In use, the bail or handle portion I80 and'legs I 82, I84 are inserted through the'slots in the panels I30 and I32 from withinthe cartonor container, and the remainder of the fastener pulled into place by pulling upon portion" I80; which engages loops I92 and I94 with the surface of the inner panel. The anchor .plate I18 is then slipped into position, preventing accidental withdrawal of the fastener back through the slot." Since the bail portion I80 and legs I82, I84 are freely hinged by the eyes I86 and I88, a'firm finger grip may be obtained merely by swinging the handle portion sufliciently away from the outer wall sllrface to enable the fingers to encircle portion Figs. 24and 25 illustrate the fastener of Fig.- I0 as applied'to one end of a container having a closure panel or flap integral with the end or side wall which receives the fastener. As shown in these figures, the outer ply 204 of the carton end or side wall extends over a portion of the container to form a, closure flap 206, and fastener 10 operates to secure to panel or ply 204 an inner ply 208.which may, for example, be one panel of a liner member extending also around other walls of the container. The combined fastener and handle is preferably inserted within a slot 2") cut through both of the plies, and so spaced fromthe top of the container that the handle or bail portion of fastener 10 extends above or comes below the level of the box top as is desired. It will be understood that a similar equivalent fastener and handle member is attached to the opposite end or side wall of the container", to provide convenient grips for the users hands.

As best shown in the sectional view'of Fig; 25, a r'eenforcing strip 2I2 may be gripped between the inner loops 86 of fastener 10 and -the inner surface of the inner ply 208, and this strip 2I2 preferably extends upward so as to contact and be held in place by the closed closure panel or flap 206. In a single wall end, that is, if the-in ner ply 208 were omitted, the 'reenforcing strip 2I2 would serve in a similar way. Obviously,- other of the specificforms of handle and fastener units herein disclosed may be applied in the fashion here shown in connection with handle 10, and a reenforcingstrip either between the pliesof a wall structure, or lying inside the inner wall as in Fig. 25, may be provided with the other handle forms. 5

As shown in Fig. 26, where the= toppane1 2I4 extending'from adjacent the upper edge of the .handle-receivingpanel cxcoverrm'ember, said panel 214 may be provided -.with an-opening; 2 I 8. located so as to register with .theoproiilebi handle- 22! :when the? panel 214 is 21s constitutes a pivoted pivoted down over the outside of .the'carton' wall 2I6. Opening. -2 8 may be plain, or as shown, may have a tongue 222 adapted to close the opening when the covern 'p'anel 2 is in its covering position. (Ihis feature is illustrated also in Fig. 9 of my said application Serial No. 717,569.

Figs. 26, and. 27 also illustrate an auxiliary securing clip member224, formed-of bendable wire to the iprofile shown in Fig. 27, to provide 'a pair and positively prevent withdrawal of the handle and fastener except after removal of said auxiliary clip.

It will have been observed that certain of the various forms of the invention shown in the drawings utilize fastener and handl elements whose U-shaped portions lie strictly in a common plane (as in Fig. l, for example), while other unitary combinat faste e andhandleimembe formed of'wire and adaptedto-.be inserted in Dart thml hj said aperture said; 'nserted 'part being ueshapediand f rmed 4 .0 lnipar z p the-surface Qf "sa dw a dinfpart;in l nedea v ;an1ang1e theret the. p n trat n parts comprisn i spa ed m mbersxona. length approximatel qual to. the thic ness; of: the. .wa l,; theaproiect d nds:10f:.saidajp n ratingeap rtst 116 9115: the texclip zwith the inserted-:paftgahdformed to;. lieiin treme ends thereof, beingadaptcd'toformahdual close contact iw-ith 1;; the;-= other: surface-*ofzfi .said

1wall-,1said extremerends beingbent'toutwardly so ,as to gliegwhengin; use asxselements projecting wall-z."

through. the: slotted: aperturensirr the container a container. walla-having .1 an

2; In. combination;

tenen comprisingfav .U J-"shapd portion lying upon the outer surface offsaidzwall and Spaced coplanar loops lying uponttheinner "surface of said-.zwa'll, "said. loopsterminatin ire- Spectively in "portions; re-entering. said 5101721 31111 a; locking anchor element. receiving theiterminaforms utilize fasteners in which the bail portion of the handle is slightly spaced from the common plane of the leg portions, as by bending of the leg portions, as shown in Fig. 6. In both of these types, however, all parts of the U-shaped portions lie sufficiently in a common plane so as to permit ready insertion of the U-shaped portion through the slotted walls, and hence in all cases the U-shaped portion may be said to lie substantially in a common plane. Hence, the corresponding terminology in the appended claims is to be understood as covering both of these slight variants of the generic term U-shaped.

In all of the forms of the invention herein disclosed, it will be noted that the insertion of the fastener and handle element involves inserting the U-shaped portion of the element through an elongated slit or open slot in the container wall structure. I have found that this arrangement is of the greatest importance, in that it permits a complete prefabrication of the fastener elements, which, if used with wall structures having merely spaced perforations, as is common in this art, would have to be formed at least in part after insertion in the container walls. My fastener elements are in all cases preformed completely, with consequent substantial advantages fromthe point of view not only of the cost of the fasteners at the point of use (that is, actually in place on the containers), but in simplicity and convenience of use even by relatively untrained operators.

I have disclosed herein certain preferred embodiments of my invention and the best mode known to me ofapplying the same, but I wish it to be understood that changes and modifica tions in the details thereof may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the 3' .tionsjof saidvloopsfand 'formedcto engage the walls :5 .ofrsaidi slot and.-;to.;1ie upqnithe outertis'ui facof said wall.

3. A unitary preformed wire fastener and handle member adapted for use as a means for handling and carrying fiber board containers, said fastener and handle member comprising a U- shaped handle grip segment formed with two legs and a connecting portion, said leg portions adjoining the connecting portion being bent outwardly and obliquely from the plane of the remaining base portions of said legs, a work or slot penetrating member being formed at the ends of said legs at right angles to the plane of said legs and turned in reverse direction, an upturned segment at the end of each of said work penetrating members, said upturned segments being looped upwardly and outwardly from eachrother within a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the.

base portions of the handle grip segment, said outwardly looped portions extending in part outside the profile of the U-shapedhandle grip member, and havingat least one extension di- 4. In combination with the Wall on container having a slotted aperturetherein, a preformed unitary combination fastener and handle member formed in accordance with claim 3, a reinforcing ply on the inside face of .the container wall, the said ply being apertured to register with the aperture of said wall, and the handle member of said preformed fastener and handle member being inserted through the slotted aperture in said reinforcing ply and said container will 5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 in which the said reinforcing ply extends at least y from the upper edge of said aperture in said wall to the upper edge of said wall.

6. A device. as set forth in claim 3 in which th work penetrating members lie in a common plane and in which the end portions of each of scope of my invention as defined in the appended 1' claims.

I claim:

1. In combinationwith the wall of a container having a slotted aperture therein, apreformed said upwardly and outwardly, upturned looped segments are formedto lie between the work penetrating members and in said common plane.

7. The device as set forth in claim 6 in which said end portions are mutually adjoining and in linear alignment with each other.

8. A device as set forth in claim 7 in which Claim 3 in combiiimwihieh the'vextrem'e end portion of the-inner extremity-:- of eachloff'the said outwardly looped" portions of the fastener and handle member tersxmnalteeinian' inwardly -itumed end locatedwith-n izxgispaxaed:fape'riures;v mcthessa-id locking :anchor element... v

nonwithithawallant ajcontainers having aslotted aperture ilhereingihe. handlegrip segment of said -.deVice;-he1'nginserted; .:through=. thev slotted ap- 'QL'MIEEL in usaid container.- wall; a and, a strip of adhesi elyrnoated paperi secured at leasta-m part 1.11.;53 device aszset forth imcl eirnu-liiin conlbina tmthe imir -surfaceomhe contazinemwaniiin athe a reavabove'and abbut the said sl'ot'tedziap'elzture 'aind cm'lering saidslotted: apeituremmuzthaprojected portions ofdihe said; device ilyingzupon ithe insidd-wallofzthe container I I noycureo'rrsz REEERENCESQITED: The following refeienc's' idre of reeord-"h 'the file Qffthis" a tentt;

UNITED. 's r TEs 1 mtEN'rs; 

